WMW fugitive accused of shooting girlfriend kills himself during police standoff in Auburn

A Washington’s Most Wanted fugitive who was seen on surveillance camera last year shooting a woman inside a bar in Kent fatally shot himself Thursday night during a police standoff.

Kent Police developed information that Joseph Anthony Lasseson was staying at a family member’s home in Auburn. Valley SWAT, Auburn Police and Kent PD Detectives surrounded the home. Detectives say Lasseson took his own life as officers entered the residence.

Kent police had been looking for him since November 18, 2017. Detectives say Joseph and the victim, were drinking together at the Gator Sports Bar. Surveillance video caught the incident on camera. Lasseson is wearing a white T-shirt, reached for a gun, holds it to the woman’s neck then stomach and then fires a shot, knocking her off the chair. He tried to give aid to her but fled in a Nissan Altima with two other women before police or medics could arrive. She was seriously wounded but survived.

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“We’re a family like every other family in America, we’re normal, we joke around, we have moments when were angry with each other,” said Rodney Chaplin, father of the 23-year-old woman who was shot by Lasseson

A normal family who says they never imagined domestic violence would be a part of their lives.

“That type of domestic violence shouldn’t be happening, it blows my mind that it could happen to my sister, in a crowded bar in the middle of the day,” said Leigh Chaplin, the brother of the 23-year-old woman.

“He is a violent offender. He has a big history of assault, order violations, and domestic violence incidents. This guy is a bad guy,” said detective Melanie Robinson with Kent Police.